11 Drinks That Make Bartenders Hate You During Rush Hour

When you walk into a busy bar, the atmosphere is buzzing with energy, and everyone is eager to enjoy their night out. But amidst the excitement, it’s important to remember that not all drinks are created equal, especially when the bartenders are juggling multiple orders. Some drinks can take ages to prepare, frustrating both you and the people waiting behind you. If you want to keep the good vibes flowing, it’s best to steer clear of certain choices that can slow down service.

Instead of holding up the line, consider opting for drinks that are quick and easy to make. This way, you can enjoy your night without becoming a bottleneck at the bar. Here are 11 drinks you should avoid ordering during peak times. By knowing what to skip, you’ll help keep the bar moving and ensure a smoother experience for everyone. Let’s explore these choices so you can make the most of your time out!

Man with a beard and tattoos shakes a cocktail shaker while holding a cocktail glass. He is wearing a blue denim shirt. There are two other filled cocktail glasses on a table. The background is painted in shades of pink and orange. — Introduction. Photo credit: 123RF.

Complex Cocktails

A tall glass of a foamy cocktail garnished with a lime wheel and a lime twist sits on a wooden table. A metal shaker, a jigger, and another lime are blurred in the background. — Complex Cocktails. Photo credit: 123RF.

Complex cocktails like the Ramos Gin Fizz are known for their intricate preparation, which involves multiple ingredients, precise measurements, and extensive shaking. These drinks can take a significant amount of time to make, especially when bartenders are busy with other orders. The complexity can lead to longer wait times for you and everyone else in line. Instead of ordering a complex drink, consider simpler options like a gin and tonic or a whiskey sour, which can be prepared quickly and efficiently. This way, you can enjoy your drink without holding up the bar, allowing everyone to have a smoother experience.

Frozen Drinks

A tall glass of pina colada with a small paper umbrella and two straws, placed on a wooden surface. A whole pineapple and a sliced pineapple are next to the glass. Green leafy background adds a tropical feel. — Frozen Drinks. Photo credit: 123RF.

Frozen drinks, such as a Piña Colada or a frozen margarita, require a blender and additional preparation time. When bars are crowded, the wait for these drinks can become frustrating for both you and those waiting behind you. Bartenders may be juggling multiple orders and frozen drinks can disrupt their flow. Instead, opt for a classic cocktail like a margarita on the rocks, which can be made quickly without needing special equipment. By choosing a quicker option, you'll help keep the line moving and enjoy your drink without unnecessary delays.

Craft Cocktails with Customizations

A bartender garnishes two cocktails on a bar counter. Each stemmed glass contains a pink drink with a frothy top, being adorned with an orange peel. The bartender wears a t-shirt with the word "WORK" repeated on it. — Craft Cocktails with Customizations. Photo credit: 123RF.

Craft cocktails often come with specific recipes that make them special. However, asking for customizations can complicate orders and slow down service. For example, if you request a twist on a popular drink like an Old Fashioned, it may require the bartender to adjust ingredients, which can take extra time. During busy hours, this can lead to frustration for both you and the bartender. To keep things moving smoothly, it's best to stick with the original recipe. If you're looking for something different, consider choosing another classic cocktail that doesn’t require modifications, allowing for a quicker and more efficient experience.

Layered Shots

A layered shot glass drink with three distinct layers: a dark brown top layer, a white middle layer, and a green bottom layer. The glass is placed on a reflective wooden surface with a blurred background. — Layered Shots. Photo credit: 123RF.

Layered shots, like a B-52, are visually impressive but require careful pouring to create distinct layers. This precision can be challenging in a busy bar environment, where bartenders are often rushed. The time it takes to layer the ingredients carefully can lead to delays, frustrating both you and those waiting behind you. Instead of ordering a layered shot, consider opting for a straightforward shot of tequila or whiskey. These drinks can be served quickly without the fuss, allowing you to enjoy your night without contributing to the wait time at the bar.

Drinks with Uncommon Ingredients

A purple cocktail in a martini glass with sugar on the rim and ice cubes inside. Garnished with a sprig of lavender and two blueberries. Two sprigs of lavender lie next to the glass on a gray textured surface. — Drinks with Uncommon Ingredients. Photo credit: 123RF.

Cocktails that call for rare ingredients, such as a Lavender Martini that requires specialty syrups, may not be readily available at all bars. When a bartender has to search for uncommon ingredients or suggest alternatives, it can lead to delays and frustration. In a busy bar, this can disrupt the flow of service. To avoid complications, it’s wise to choose drinks with more common ingredients, like a vodka soda or a gin and tonic. These options are typically available everywhere and can be prepared quickly, ensuring you get your drink without unnecessary waiting.

Mocktails

A clear glass filled with a mojito cocktail, featuring mint leaves, lime wedges, and ice cubes. Several lime wedges and mint leaves are scattered around the base of the glass on a light surface. The background is softly blurred. — Mocktails. Photo credit: 123RF.

Mocktails, such as a Virgin Mojito or a Nojito, can take just as long to prepare as regular cocktails, which may not be ideal during busy hours. Bartenders often prioritize alcoholic drinks to keep the line moving, and mocktails can slow down service. While it’s great to have non-alcoholic options, consider ordering something simpler, like a soda, sparkling water, or lemonade. These drinks can be served quickly and still provide a refreshing option without causing delays. By choosing a straightforward drink, you help maintain the bar's flow and ensure a more pleasant experience for everyone.

Drinks That Require Garnishes

A tropical drink garnished with a purple orchid and a pineapple slice sits on a table. In front of the drink are a pair of sunglasses. The background shows the ocean and a distant, blurred view of a green mountain. — Drinks That Require Garnishes. Photo credit: 123RF.

Cocktails that need elaborate garnishes, such as a Mai Tai with fresh fruit and umbrellas, can slow down service when the bar is busy. If the bartender is short on supplies or has to spend extra time preparing the garnishes, it may lead to longer wait times for your drink. Instead, consider ordering drinks that don’t require any garnishes, like a whiskey neat or a simple gin and tonic. These options can be served quickly and efficiently, allowing you to enjoy your drink without holding up the bar or causing frustration for other patrons.

Signature Drinks

A bartender garnishes a light green cocktail in a coupe glass with a small leaf. The scene is set in a bar with blurred pink and purple lighting in the background. The bartender's arm tattoo is partially visible. — Signature Drinks. Photo credit: 123RF.

Signature drinks can be complex and time-consuming to make, especially if they involve multiple steps or unique ingredients. For instance, a bar's house special that combines unusual flavors may take longer to prepare during peak hours. When the bar is busy, it’s best to avoid these complicated cocktails, as they can disrupt the flow of service. Instead, opt for a straightforward beer or a classic cocktail like a vodka tonic. These choices are typically quicker to make and help keep the line moving, ensuring you get your drink without unnecessary delays.

Shots with Multiple Ingredients

A close-up of a shot glass filled with a red liquid, placed on a bar counter. A hand is visible in the background, holding a small bottle above the glass. The environment appears to be a dimly lit bar or pub. — Shots with Multiple Ingredients. Photo credit: 123RF.

Shots that require several components, such as a Long Island Iced Tea shot, can be time-consuming to make. These drinks involve mixing multiple spirits and ingredients, which can disrupt the flow of service in a busy bar. Ordering such shots can lead to longer wait times, not just for you, but for everyone else in line as well. To avoid the hassle, choose a simple shot of whiskey or vodka, which can be served quickly without the need for complicated preparation. This way, you can enjoy your night without contributing to the wait times at the bar.

Coffee-Based Cocktails

Two espresso martinis are served in cocktail glasses on a light gray surface. A small plate with coffee beans is placed in front of them, and a metallic espresso maker is blurred in the background. — Coffee-Based Cocktails. Photo credit: 123RF.

Coffee-based cocktails, like an Espresso Martini, require brewing or pulling espresso shots, which can slow down service in a busy bar. The time it takes to prepare these drinks can be frustrating for both you and the bartender, especially when they are juggling multiple orders. Instead of ordering a coffee-based cocktail, consider opting for a simple cocktail or a cold brew coffee. These alternatives can be served quickly and efficiently, allowing you to enjoy your drink without causing delays for yourself or others waiting at the bar.

Long-Drink Orders

A row of seven colorful cocktails on a bar counter, each in a different style of glass. The drinks vary in color, garnished with items like fruit slices, herbs, and straws. The background shows shelves with blurred bottles. — Long-Drink Orders. Photo credit: 123RF.

Ordering several drinks at once can overwhelm bartenders, especially during peak times. If you request a round of different cocktails, it can lead to mistakes or longer wait times as bartenders try to keep track of multiple orders. This can create frustration for both you and others waiting for their drinks. To help keep the line moving smoothly, limit your order to one or two drinks at a time. This approach not only helps the bartenders but also ensures you get your drinks faster, allowing you to enjoy the night without unnecessary delays.

10 Drinks You Should NEVER Have On An Empty Stomach

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white top, is sitting on a couch. She is holding her stomach with one hand and leaning on the couch with the other. The background includes a shelf with a few decorative items. — 10 Drinks You Should NEVER Have On An Empty Stomach. Photo credit: DepositPhotos.

Keep this list in mind! Starting your day with the wrong beverage can really mess up your stomach and set a bad tone for the rest of your day. These 10 drinks you shouldn't have on an empty stomach can cause issues like heartburn, bloating, or even a sudden sugar crash. Whether it's that seemingly harmless cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of citrus juice, what you drink first thing in the morning matters more than you might think. Your stomach is sensitive when empty, and certain drinks can irritate it more than others.
Read More Here: 10 Drinks You Should NEVER Have On An Empty Stomach

14 Drinks That Boomers Loved And Deserve a Comeback

A woman in an orange sweater blows out candles on a cupcake while holding a glass of wine. Four people stand around her smiling, each holding a glass of red wine. The setting appears to be a kitchen. — 14 Drinks That Boomers Loved And Deserve a Comeback. Photo credit: DepositPhotos.

Retro drinks you've probably never heard of! The cocktail scene of the 1960s and 70s was a vibrant era of experimentation and indulgence. Boomers embraced various colorful, flavorful drinks that defined social gatherings and nightlife.
Read More Here: 14 Drinks That Boomers Loved And Deserve a Comeback